Gene Schwam, Veteran Hollywood Publicist to Elvis Presley, Julie Andrews and More, Dies at 96

Gene Schwam, a Hollywood publicist who represented Elvis Presley, Julie Andrews and other prominent entertainers, has died in Los Angeles aged 96 after a brief illness. He co-founded Hanson & Schwam Public Relations in 1955, helping build an independent agency that became a lasting presence in entertainment publicity.

Schwam began his career earning $35 a week before launching the firm with Adeline Hanson; its first client was Smith Bros. Fish Shanty restaurant. His clients also included Blake Edwards, Barbara Eden, Lenny Bruce, Nancy Wilson and Lou Rawls. Edwards based the neurotic publicist in his film “S.O.B.” on Schwam, who later created Humanity 101, an initiative promoting values including compassion, empathy and respect.